Sports
IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant emerges as the brightest star in left-handed batters’ dominated run-fest
New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Spotting the brightest star during a full moon night can sometimes become a tough ask. When the full moon is incredibly bright and illuminates the night sky on its own, it means just the brightest stars, planets, and constellations are visible to the naked eye.
On a Wednesday night, with a full moon illuminating the sky, the Arun Jaitley Stadium witnessed a topsy-turvy game between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, where total runs scored by both teams exceeded 400. In the exhilarating run-fest, left-handed batters from both teams overwhelmingly took the center stage, but it was Rishabh Pant, the Delhi Capitals skipper, who emerged as the brightest star.
Sure, Axar Patel expertly negated the threat possessed by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad by taking 46 runs off their combined 25 deliveries to make his number three promotion count with a 43-ball 66 and be the aggressor in his 113-run stand with Pant.
Add to that, B Sai Sudharsan’s steady 39-ball 65 and David Miller’s quick 23-ball 55 kept GT in the hunt of chasing 225, of which they fell short by four runs. But none came close to being as enthralling, illuminating, and fulfilling as Pant’s blitzkrieg of 88 not out off just 43 balls.
There were doubts over Pant unleashing his best self as a finisher after a scratchy 44 in a high-pressure chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad in his homecoming on April 20. But Pant, amongst the wicketkeeper-batter contenders for the T20 World Cup squad, was at his magnificent best in applying finishing against GT, hitting eight sixes and five fours at a strike-rate of 204.6.
Hours before the game began on Wednesday evening, the area outside the stadium was abuzz with frenetic activity. Fans were flocking to buy and don ‘Rishabh 17’ jerseys, creating a palpable sense of anticipation from the local lad. To their absolute joy, Pant produced shots – orthodox and unorthodox – showing glimpses of his vintage self, which made him an absolute darling of fans.
When Pant walked in to bat, DC were in dire straits at 44/3, with Sandeep Warrier picking up all three wickets in power-play. Pant had to initially bide his time by keeping the scoreboard ticking with Axar, who was adept at picking boundaries whenever GT erred in line and length.
“When I was there in the first timeout, we discussed about what can be the ideal score here. We then came down to 180 and focused on getting it and then take it from there. Rishabh was confident about getting 180 for the time being and said if we can achieve that, we can get more,” said DC assistant coach Pravin Amre in the post-match press conference.
He opened up by getting in line of the short ball down leg from Noor and slog-sweep over fine leg for four. When Rashid bowled him short, Pant went quickly on backfoot to pull him through square leg for four and once Noor pitched it too full, he was quick to get low and slog-sweep again, this time for six.
“‘Let’s keep going, let’s get eight or nine every over’. We knew if we targeted their main spinners, because that’s how Gujarat play – their two spinners (Rashid and Noor) handle the game very well in the middle overs. That’s what we talked about, that if we get something, we would take it on, (otherwise) we will keep rotating the strike,” Pant would say after the game ended.
Mohit Sharma, GT’s death overs specialist, came on at the start of the 12th, with slower balls and cutters in his armoury. But the length was of Pant’s liking – short and wide enough to pull and cut for boundaries. It was just the start Pant needed to showcase his power-hitting and panache.
The 16th over saw Pant welcoming Mohit with a powerful whip over deep mid-wicket for six and then whacked with all his might a full, slower ball over long off. Pant reached his fifty in 34 balls, with a slog off Mohit over long-on for six, which generated resounding applause from the DC blue wearing crowd.
After Tristan Stubbs‘ onslaught off Sai Kishore in the 19th over fetched DC 22 runs, it was the perfect platform for Pant to finish the innings on a high against a one-dimensional Mohit. A powerful swing went through Shahrukh Khan’s hands at long-on for six, followed by him losing his balance while trying to slice a wide yorker, which generated enough power in typical Pant style to fetch a four.
Rattled by this, Mohit angled a bouncer into Pant, who shuffled across and hooked to get a six. On the next ball, Pant dispatched a low full toss high over long-on for a maximum. With calls of ‘we want sixer’ coming from the crowd, Pant swiped another full toss over the boundary rope as 31 runs came off the last over.
“He started his preparation from the two weeks pre-season camp in Vizag and prepared himself very well because before that, he had been at the NCA. I remember his first day when he came at the Vizag camp, he went straight to ground from the airport. He was hungry, he made sure that he was going to utilise every day.”
“You can see all his hard work is paying off. A couple of good knocks gave him the confidence, and today’s (knock against GT) was special. He single-handedly got 31 runs against an experienced bowler like Mohit Sharma in the 20th over and that really shows that he is in good form,” added Amre.
Pant smashing 62 runs off Mohit on facing 18 balls off him, including hitting seven sixes at a whopping strike-rate of 344.44 are both the most runs & sixes for a batter against a bowler in an IPL match. Since his return to competitive cricket following the life-threatening car crash, Pant’s performance with both bat and gloves has been closely monitored. Wednesday’s knock of 88 not out was the strongest evidence of him returning to his best form.
“Definitely, loved it. I am someone who can’t praise myself. But being on the field actually really matters to me a lot, especially after the kind of injury I had. The conversation I had about myself was that when I am on the field, I should be looking better, moving better, and thinking better.”
“Because something which keeps me awake in the night is, I don’t want to be at the same place. This is a quote that I have actually read about and I feel the same about it each and every day. That’s why when I step on the field, I just feel to give my 200% each and every game,” added Pant.
Pant’s electrifying performance in the late stages of the match, filled with powerful and rollicking shots, keeps DC in the hut for a playoffs spot. In the larger context, it may well secure his spot on the flight to play for India in the Men’s T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA in June. But April 24, 2024 will forever be remembered as the night when Pant became the most radiant star on a moonlit evening.
–IANS
nr/
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, woman boxer Lovlina Borgohain has expressed “confidence” in winning a gold medal in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Borgohain’s confidence is backed by a series of remarkable performances, including a gold medal at the 2023 World Boxing Championships and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games.
In a conversation on JioCinema’s ‘The Dreamers,’ she expressed her aspirations to clinch gold at the upcoming edition of the Games. Borgohain’s transition from the Welterweight (69 kg) to the Middleweight (75 kg) category marked a turning point in her career.
“I used to consistently win bronze, but since switching to the 75 kg category, I’ve seen remarkable improvement. Despite initial skepticism about weight gain, it has proven beneficial. I’ve won four consecutive gold medals in the National Games, National Championships, World Championships, and Asian Championships. This success gives me the confidence to aim for Olympic gold,” she said.
Discussing her preparation for Paris 2024, Borgohain emphasised the importance of meticulous planning and dedication. “Every day and every session counts as we approach the Olympics. Setting a target and working diligently towards it motivates me. I structure my training to maximise productivity, ensuring each day brings me closer to my goal of winning gold.”
Reflecting on her journey, Borgohain shared a poignant childhood anecdote that ignited her passion for boxing.
“When I was young, I didn’t know much about boxing. My father, who worked in tea plantations, brought home sweets one Sunday wrapped in a newspaper with an article about Muhammad Ali. That moment sparked my interest in boxing. My journey began with martial arts, and then I moved directly to competing in national boxing, using my martial arts knowledge to guide me,” the pugilist said.
Offering advice to aspiring athletes, Borgohain highlighted the critical elements of success. “Discipline, focus, and sacrifice are essential. The journey is fraught with challenges, including injuries, but perseverance is key. Overcoming these obstacles is what makes a champion.”
Borgohain, an Arjuna Award winner and Khel Ratna awardee joins the ranks of Vijender Singh and Mary Kom as Indian boxers to win an Olympic medal. As she prepares to compete in the women’s 75kg event at Paris 2024, her recent victories at the 2023 World Boxing Championships and 2022 Asian Boxing Championships solidify her status as a top contender.
–IANS
ab/bsk/
Sports
1st T20I: Abhishek, Jurel, Parag handed debuts as India elect to field first against Zimbabwe
Harare, July 6 (IANS) Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag have been handed India T20I debuts as captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first against Zimbabwe in the series opener at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
The series holds huge importance from an Indian perspective, as it kickstarts their road to building a team for the 2026 T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by them and Sri Lanka. With the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, there are spots up for grabs in the national set-up which the youthful Gill-led squad would be keen to stake a claim for.
“I think it looks like a good surface. It won’t change much later. It has been a long coming. We won an ICC event after 11 years. Very satisfied, hope for many more to come. Don’t feel pressure, you have expectations but from yourself, not from outside,” said Gill, in his first assignment as an India captain, after winning the toss.
Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, Abhishek hit 42 sixes, the most by any batter in the competition, as he amassed 484 runs in 16 innings, including hitting three half-centuries. Hailing from Amritsar in Punjab, Abhishek is mentored by Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara. He was also the Player of the Tournament in Punjab’s triumph in the 2023/24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, for amassing 485 runs in ten innings in the competition.
Parag, Abhishek’s team-mate in the 2018 U19 World Cup triumph, had his coming-of-the-age season in IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals, amassing 573 runs in 14 innings as a middle-order batter and striking 33 sixes while hitting four fifties. He was handed his T20I debut cap by his father Parag Das, a former first-class cricketer for Assam.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jurel, on the other hand, impressed in his debut Test series against England at home, picking up a Player of the Match award at Ranchi. In IPL 2024, Jurel amassed 195 runs in 11 innings while playing for Rajasthan Royals.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said, “I don’t mind batting first. The wicket looks good. Zimbabwe Cricket has trusted me with this transition phase. I look for young boys to come out and fight. It is humbling to lead this bunch. Sean (Williams) has retired. It is a young side. (Craig) Ervine will have a role in the future.”
Playing XIs:
India: Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed
Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara
–IANS
nr/bsk/
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The eighth meet of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League is set to take place on Sunday at the Charlety Stadium in Paris, France. The premier track-and-field meet will feature Paris 2024-qualified Kishore Jena and Avinash Sable. Kishore Jena will be competing in the men’s javelin throw against the likes of Anderson Peters (Grenada), Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic), Julian Weber (Germany), and Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan).
Avinash Sable will eye a strong finish in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase against a participating field of 17 runners, including the likes of Simon Kiprop Koech (Kenya), Abraham Kibiwot (Kenya), Ryuji Miura (Japan), and Daniel Arce (Spain).
The men’s pole vault event will feature Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis, who set a new world record (6.24m) at this season’s Xiamen event. Along with him, five Olympic champions, six world champions, and 12 reigning European champions are set to compete in Paris.
Earlier, reigning Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra had clarified that the Paris Diamond League was not part of his calendar and he is focused on getting ready for the Paris Olympics.
Diamond Disciplines at Paris 2024:
Men: Pole vault, javelin throw, 110 metres hurdles, 400 metres hurdles, 200 metres, 800 metres, 3000m steeplechase
Women: High jump, discus throw, long jump, 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres steeplechase
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Diamond League 2024 – Paris live coverage and broadcast:
When: July 7, 2024
Where: Charlety Stadium, Paris, France
Time: 7:30 PM onwards
Live streaming in India: JioCinema
TV broadcast in India: Sports18 – 3
–IANS
ab/bsk/
Johor (Malaysia), July 6 (IANS) Top Indian star Abhay Singh will feature in two finals at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships in Johor, Malaysia, on Sunday. On Saturday, he and Velavan Senthilkumar, the top seeds, stormed into the Men’s Doubles title round with a commanding 11-9, 11-2 win over the Japanese pair of Tomotaka Endo and Naoki Hayashi in 23 minutes in the last-four stage.
Later, Asian Games medallist Abhay and the experienced Joshna Chinappa, the third seeds, defeated the Hong Kong pair of Cheng Nga Ching and Lai Cheuk Nam Matthew of Hong Kong 11-8, 11-10 in the Mixed Doubles semifinals.
“I’m very pleased to be in both finals, winning two gold medals was the goal before we came here so that’s what we are focused on tomorrow,” Abhay said.
“The men’s match was a comfortable 2-0 while the mixed match was a bit challenging, but still pleased to come through without dropping a game. Being in another final of an Asian Championship is an honour, looking forward to converting them both,” he added.
Abhay and Joshna will meet second seed Tong Tsz Wing and Tang Ming Hong of Hong Kong for the Mixed Doubles title and Abhay and Velavan will lock horns with second seed Ong Sai Hung and Syafiq Kamal of Malaysia in the men’s doubles final.
“Solid performances by both pairs to reach the finals. Once the Asian Championships were announced the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) along with our strategic partner HCL held the National Championships from where the pairs were selected,” SRFI secretary-general Cyrus Poncha said.
–IANS
hs/bsk/
Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Head Coach Chaoba Devi announced a 23-member squad, who will travel to Myanmar for the two FIFA-friendly matches. The Blue Tigresses will play against hosts Myanmar on July 9 and 12, respectively.
“My team is a mix of senior and junior players. I am satisfied with the combination of the squad. After playing Uzbekistan last month, we started our National camp within the next 10 days. All the players are fit, which is a good sign. They didn’t want to relax, they were undergoing intense training at their respective clubs,” said coach Devi.
The Blue Tigresses were last seen in action during the tour of Uzbekistan for two friendly matches against the hosts on May 31 and June 4. They lost one match and drew the second one. Coach Chaoba is aware of the areas that needed more work and said, “As a coach, after Turkey and Uzbekistan, we were facing problems in defending aerial balls. We were trying to improve in this area in the camp.
“We trained at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata for two weeks and played two practice matches. Those matches proved to be good. We also used young players in the starting eleven. They gave their full efforts and fought to keep their positions. There are healthy competitions among the players to be in the starting XI. We need some youngsters who can run and face difficult situations, like Mousumi Murmur and Aruna Bag. I am happy they have improved a lot in a short time,” the coach said
“We played with Uzbekistan last month which was also a higher-ranked team. Playing against higher ranked teams benefits our players as they can have intense matches and get ready to play in big tournaments. In the first match, we lost badly. All of us found it unacceptable. The girls gave their hundred per cent, and we drew the second match. The girls have the potential, and we are trying to get the best out of them,” she said.
India are currently 67th in the FIFA Rankings, while Myanmar are 54th. The Indian women’s team played five matches between February to May.
India will naturally benefit from playing two higher-ranked teams in two months, the coach said, “Ranking does matter. The federation is also trying to arrange for more exposure tours. If we play more such games, the team will improve. We need to play quality games.”
“A well laid out plan should be there. We need to inform the girls well in time to keep them prepared. There is a lot of activity going on around Indian women’s football, and we need future players. We have scouted talents from IWL and IWL 2. We coaches can get the best of the talents and select the best ones,” Chaoba added.
Th 23-member squad for Myanmar friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi.
Defenders: Loitongbam Ashalata Devi,Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju,Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Aruna Bag.
Midfielders: Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Mousumi Murmu.
Forwards: Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, Rimpa Haldar.
–IANS
aaa/
Austrian Chancellor Nehammer calls PM Modi's upcoming Vienna visit
'special honour'- Vice-President tears into Chidambaram over ‘part-timers’ jibe on new criminal laws
- Paris Olympics: Recent success gives me confidence to aim for gold: Boxer Lovlina Borgohain
- India well-positioned to be key global space player in coming years: Vice-President Dhankhar
- Xi Jinping congratulates Iran’s Pezeshkian on presidential election win
- NDA constituents scoff at Lalu Yadav's 'weak govt' charge
- Varun Sharma reveals toughest part of playing 'Khanna' in 'Wild Wild Punjab'
- 1st T20I: Abhishek, Jurel, Parag handed debuts as India elect to field first against Zimbabwe
- It's India's misfortune that Rahul Gandhi is the LoP: Haryana BJP MP
- Olympics-bound Kishore Jena, and Avinash Sable to feature in Paris Diamond League meet
-
Video1 year agoPM Modi Attacks Congress in Karnataka with “Kerala Story”
-
Cricket1 year ago
CSK players rejoice 5th IPL title with their families (Pics)
-
Politics1 year ago
Siddaramaiah & DK Shivakumar sworn in as Chief Minister & Deputy CM respectively
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Karan Deol weds his longtime Girlfriend Drisha Acharya (Pics)
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Urvashi Rautela dazzles on Cannes 2023 red carpet (Pics)
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Sunny Leone gets ready for Kennedy premiere in Cannes (Pics)
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Alia Bhatt looks crazy beautiful in Prabal Gurung creation at MET GALA 2023 (Pics)
-
Sports6 years agoHistory Of Official FIFA WORLD CUP Match balls
